Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Denies Resignation Amid Prosecution Sanction Controversy

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has refused to resign despite the Governor's sanction to prosecute him related to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority site allotment controversy. Accusing the BJP and other parties of conspiring against the elected government, he plans to challenge the decision in court.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday ruled out his resignation following the Governor's sanction to prosecute him over the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment controversy. Insisting that he had done no wrong, Siddaramaiah termed Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's decision as 'anti-Constitution and against law', which he plans to legally challenge in court.

'It is a big conspiracy to dislodge the elected government. They (BJP) have done this in several states including Delhi, Jharkhand. A conspiracy has been designed to destabilise the elected government in Karnataka also. The Central government, BJP, JD(S) and others are involved in this conspiracy,' Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

Accusing the opposition of acting illegally and unconstitutionally, Siddaramaiah asserted, 'They are using Raj Bhavan as a political pawn. The Governor is functioning like a puppet in the hands of the Central government.' The Governor sanctioned prosecution under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, based on petitions by Pradeep Kumar S.P., T.J. Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna.

(With inputs from agencies.)